@John ********

back at ya

@John ********

Chiang Rai. Lived in Chiang Khong last year. Generally I am super happy with how stuff works here. If I didn't have some insight into this problem through locals (I'm pretty integrated - I don't know any farang and spend all my time with Thai people) I wouldn't even be aware. We will be moving to Phitsanouk soon and I am terribly afraid it will be similar to the south where it's a part of everyday life.

@John *****

I don't think that is a fair mockery. The startup cost of a donut shop and a video arcade are totally different. The fees that a farang must pay to open either of them are likely the same.

@John ********

Its a thing I think about way too much. I accidentally saw how the sausage was made and can't go back....

@John ********

I don't think it's a non sequitur. The topic at that point is the delta between what the law is and how it is enforced. Which HERE is often a case of incompetence and/or corruption. Typically in the west the enforcement is fairly uniform, but the laws themselves stem from corruption. Both places have both problems, just different relative levels.of each.

@Kool ******

Maybe. But it appears in this city that they troll for businesses that are doing well and then look for excuses to harass. But it's hard to know what's going on under the hood. An official complaint leading to officers putting cash in their pockets isn't a very good look.

@John ********

of course they are, what are you freaking out about? Maybe have "act like an aggressive dick" be 3rd or 4th gear instead of 1st.

@Jacob *******

nah it's everywhere Thai people are. They need to eat too. I will say 25baht is amazing. I pay 40 almost every night.

@Edna ******

probably a great argument for an agent

@David *******

well everything is subject to the realities of corruption and incompetence...